people; provided one million dollars (plus food, clothing, and other necessities) to victims of Hurricane Katrina and nearly $50 million in relief aid to victims of the 2004 tsunami in South Asia; and much, much more. Amma’s commitment to seva (“service”) has recently also focused on the natural world. Her “GreenFriends” program promotes “eco-meditation” (a method of re-establishing the harmony between humanity and nature) and distributes or plants 100,000 saplings in Kerala each year to combat erosion and serve as a buffer against tsunamis. And her Farmer Relief Project addresses India’s burgeoning problem of farmer suicides: Beset by drought, failing crops, and GMOs, a shocking number of Indian farmers have committed suicide by drinking the very pesticides they once applied to their crops. The project provides educational scholarships to 100,000

children of impoverished farmers
(including many children of farmers
who took their own lives) and offers
counseling to farmers and their
families to support self-esteem,
growth, and hope.

spreading Kindness
The impetus for all this
charitable work couldn’t be
simpler: “My religion is love
and service,” Amma says.
To those who would emulate
in some small measure her
dedication to kindness, she
suggests devoting an hour
a day, or at least a few hours every
week, to selfless service. Visit amma’s
web site for more info on her service
projects (and how to donate or get
involved), teachings, centers
throughout the world, and getting a
hug from Amma during her upcoming
U.S. tour. As one of her 27 million
hugees, I can recommend the
experience: In our fractious, frantic
world, it’s a rare chance to encounter
undiluted human warmth. 0

Amma with a crowd of devotees who have come to receive an embrace from her.